Welcome fellow travelers!
Welcome to our Peace and Compassion Network!
Peace and Compassion are so crucial for the happiness of all beings.
This is an interactive space where we can look at creating events and projects taking place where we are and perhaps in time, all over earth.
We can also share our personal journey of increasing our awareness of Peace and Compassion.
Please feel free to add photographs, blogs, videos and other postings appropriate to this network (ie peaceful and compassionate) and also join groups and participate in our discussion forum.
Please invite your friends.
May all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.
Peace and Compassion are so crucial for the happiness of all beings.
This is an interactive space where we can look at creating events and projects taking place where we are and perhaps in time, all over earth.
We can also share our personal journey of increasing our awareness of Peace and Compassion.
Please feel free to add photographs, blogs, videos and other postings appropriate to this network (ie peaceful and compassionate) and also join groups and participate in our discussion forum.
Please invite your friends.
May all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.
PEACE AND COMPASSION NETWORK - Creating awareness of the importance of Peace and Compassion on earth
Members
Events
The essence of love and compassion...
”The essence of love and compassion is understanding, the ability to recognize the physical, material, and psychological suffering of others, to put ourselves “inside the skin” of the other. We “go inside” their body, feelings, and mental formations, and witness for ourselves their suffering. Shallow observation as an outsider is not enough to see their suffering. We must become one with the subject of our observation. When we are in contact with another's suffering, a feeling of compassion is born in us. Compassion means, literally, “to suffer with.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
"May I become food and drink in the eons of famine for those poverty-stricken suffers.
May I be a doctor, medicine and nurse for all sick beings in the world until everyone is cured.
May I become never-ending wish-fulfilling treasures materialising in front of each of them as all the enjoyments they need.
May I be a guide for those who do not have a guide, a leader for those who journey, a boat for those who want to cross over, and all sorts of ships, bridges, beautiful parks for those who desire them, and light for those who need light.
And may I become beds for those who need a rest, and a servant to all who need servants.
May I also become the basic conditions for all sentient beings, such as earth or even the sky, which is indestructible.
May I always be the living conditions for all sentient beings until all sentient beings are enlightened."
and
"While their evil ripens in me, may all my virtue ripen in them."
~ Shantideva, 8th-century CE.
Thich Nhat Hanh
"May I become food and drink in the eons of famine for those poverty-stricken suffers.
May I be a doctor, medicine and nurse for all sick beings in the world until everyone is cured.
May I become never-ending wish-fulfilling treasures materialising in front of each of them as all the enjoyments they need.
May I be a guide for those who do not have a guide, a leader for those who journey, a boat for those who want to cross over, and all sorts of ships, bridges, beautiful parks for those who desire them, and light for those who need light.
And may I become beds for those who need a rest, and a servant to all who need servants.
May I also become the basic conditions for all sentient beings, such as earth or even the sky, which is indestructible.
May I always be the living conditions for all sentient beings until all sentient beings are enlightened."
and
"While their evil ripens in me, may all my virtue ripen in them."
~ Shantideva, 8th-century CE.
Latest Activity
I found this 5 day retreat series conducted by Thich Nhat Hanh. I have collected the whole series together so the retreat may be at the disposal of anyone wishing ‘to attend’. For any one giving this retreat the time it deserves there will be grea...
Thank you Susmita Barua, wonderful! I have met you on Gaia too now! Gaia is my favorite network
love
Hi Anna and everyone. Don't know how I found my way here but glad i did.
Here is another opportunity to sustain peace and compassion through our attention and endorsement of the first citizen-led world march for peace and non-violent. We practice...
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... those living in or near Johannesburg, South Africa
Peace and Compassion March invitation
DATE: Sunday, 17 May 2009
TIME: 10h00
STARTING POINT: Gandhi Square (Cnr Rissik St & Fox St Johannesburg)
ROUTE: Gandhi Square to Mandela Bridge and back to Gandhi Square (approximately 4km. See map below): Ghandi Square, Rissik St, left into Jeppe St, right into West and onto Mandela Bridge.
Geshe Dhonden-la will join us
GUEST SPEAKERS:
Update
Confirmed Guest speakers:
Sonam Tensing (Representative of the Dalai Lama in Africa)
Jo Mdhlela (South African Human Rights Commission)
WHO IS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PEACE AND COMPASSION MARCH: Everyone who wishes to uphold and undertake the march’s theme of Peace and Compassion! Including human rights organisations - all individuals, groups and organisations who support the theme of Peace and Compassion will be welcomed.
MEMORANDUM: Organisations are welcome to send in their own memorandums to be attached to the general memorandum of the Peace and Compassion March. Memorandums should be in keeping with the spirit of the theme of the Peace and Compassion March. Deadline for submitting memorandums: 5 May 2009. Please make arrangements by calling Anna: 072 387 3900 or Elizabeth: 031 7014307.
PEACE AND COMPASSION MARCH MEMORANDUM:
On the 17 March 2009 we are marching in the spirit of Peace and Compassion.
We are members of the general public and also specific groups and organisations.
We uphold and practice the principle of Peace and Compassion and undertake to do all we can to foster this principle within our immediate society and the world at large.
This march is our statement of our commitment to the practice of Peace and Compassion.
We are aware that as long as there is suffering in the heart of even one individual, there will be no peace on earth.
In many countries around the world, such as Tibet, Burma, most countries in Africa and many others, we see great strife either from natural disasters or from violence and warfare implemented by our fellow human beings.
We call on South Africa to:
* take steps toward demilitarisation and set an example of non violence to the rest of the world.
* take steps to end violence, strife and suffering where it is found, in our country, continent and the world.
* ensure there are no children to be found on our streets and all homeless children be cared for in a place of safety.
* take every step possible to take care of the sick and aged.
* ensure those without employment receive food and shelter.
WHAT YOU NEED TO BEING:
* Please being water to drink and if necessary, a snack for sustenance while walking (please do not litter).
* comfortable walking shoes
* comfortable clothing. It may be cold so please ensure you will be warm enough
* Peace and Compassion marchers may carry banners, etc appropriate to the theme of Peace and Compassion. Banners can be related to any points in the memorandum and human rights issues and if deemed necessary, can express disappointment at SA government's recent decision of not issuing visa to His Holiness the Dalai Lama to travel to SA to attend the 'postponed' Peace Conference. Those representing organisations may carry their own organisational banners and further can express anything pertaining the Peace and Compassion theme. All banners, etc must worded in language appropriate to the theme of the march ie; NO aggressive, abusive, angry language or tone. We reserve the right to remove banners that are seen as inappropriate to the theme of the march.
* This march is our statement of commitment to the practice of Peace and Compassion. Marchers are requested to come prepared with an inspirational quotation, piece of writing or picture relating to the theme of Peace and Compassion, in a letter or on a card. On the day of the march everyone will exchange their letter or card with a stranger who is also participating in the march. This exchange will be a gift and also a bonding with someone we do not know but who shares our vision in their unique way.
MORE ABOUT THE PEACE AND COMPASSION MARCH:
The march has been organised under the auspices of the TSSA (Tibet Society of South Africa) but is not an event exclusive to this organisation and is open to ALL who wish to uphold the principles of Peace and Compassion to march in their own right as individuals or to represent their organisation.
Generally, May 17 can be seen as a symbolic day where we can bring to our awareness, the suffering of others and set the intention to bring about change by firmly committing to uphold the attitude and practice of Peace and Compassion in our lives. This was the date when Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was abducted by the Communist Chinese Government in 1995. Aged six years old at the time, he was effectively the world’s youngest political prisoner. Panchen Lama, now a young man, is still under arrest and little if anything is known about him and his well being.
TSSA ‘Peace in Tibet’ t-shirts can be ordered by those who wish to wear these on the day of the march. Please see t-shirt order details below
Due to the march taking place on a Sunday, our memorandum’s will faxed by the march organisers, (rather than handed over): To His Excellency the President Kgalema Motlanthe (this mail has been compiled before the upcoming elections – memorandums will address the current president of South Africa) and copied to: UN Secretary-General Banki-Moon and the European Union Representative in Pretoria and the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria.
OTHER MEMORANDUMS
Memorandums of individual human rights and other organisations will be attached to the Peace and Compassion March’s memorandum.
Memorandum submitted by TSSA:
Tibet Society of South Africa (TSSA), calls for:
a) the unconditional release of Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his immediate family members, who have been under house arrest/captivity for more than 13 years, and calling on the PRC government to allow access to Panchen Lama by UN representatives;
b) the release of Tibetan political prisoners, who participated in peaceful protests/demonstrations;
c) independent international bodies/organizations to investigate the real conditions and situation inside Tibet;
d) the PRC government to allow foreign media to travel to Tibet for an 'unbiased' reporting of the actual situation; African leaders, including South Africa to urge PRC government to allow foreign journalists access to all parts of Tibet, without fear and conditions;
e) African leaders, including South African leaders, to urge PRC leadership to resolve the issue of Tibet through dialogue. To this end, the African leaders can urge the PRC leadership to discuss the recent proposal submitted by His Holiness' Envoys entitled : "Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People" with sincerity (proposal submitted to the Chinese leaders on October 31, 2008 in Beijing)
FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO ORDER ‘PEACE IN TIBET’ T-SHIRTS:
Kindly complete the following form & return it to cormkt@mweb.co.za before 5 May, 2009 so that the t-shirts can be ordered on-time. T-shirts will be issued on the morning of the march. Kindly bring correct payment.
NAME: ...................................
CONTACT TEL NR: ....................................
NUMBER OF T-SHIRTS REQUIRED: ………………..
SIZES:
Quantity / Size:
............. small
............. medium
.............. large
............... XL
............... XXL
Cost of the t-shirt R55.00 X ............... = TOTAL: ...............................
NB: If for some reason you cannot attend on the day and we have ordered you a t-shirt, won’t you please commit to paying for it so that we are not left with a large account to pay. Thank you!
Kindest regards
Peace and Compassion March organisers
If you have enquiries please contact:
Chris Kudla, Chairperson Tibet Society of SA; 031 2668 182 - office hours
Elizabeth Gaywood, Co-ordinator TSSA; 031 7014 307 - after hours
Or Anna Varney-Wong, on behalf of Peace and Compassion March organisers; info@hummingbirds.co.za
Peace and Compassion March invitation
DATE: Sunday, 17 May 2009
TIME: 10h00
STARTING POINT: Gandhi Square (Cnr Rissik St & Fox St Johannesburg)
ROUTE: Gandhi Square to Mandela Bridge and back to Gandhi Square (approximately 4km. See map below): Ghandi Square, Rissik St, left into Jeppe St, right into West and onto Mandela Bridge.
Geshe Dhonden-la will join us
GUEST SPEAKERS:
Update
Confirmed Guest speakers:
Sonam Tensing (Representative of the Dalai Lama in Africa)
Jo Mdhlela (South African Human Rights Commission)
WHO IS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PEACE AND COMPASSION MARCH: Everyone who wishes to uphold and undertake the march’s theme of Peace and Compassion! Including human rights organisations - all individuals, groups and organisations who support the theme of Peace and Compassion will be welcomed.
MEMORANDUM: Organisations are welcome to send in their own memorandums to be attached to the general memorandum of the Peace and Compassion March. Memorandums should be in keeping with the spirit of the theme of the Peace and Compassion March. Deadline for submitting memorandums: 5 May 2009. Please make arrangements by calling Anna: 072 387 3900 or Elizabeth: 031 7014307.
PEACE AND COMPASSION MARCH MEMORANDUM:
On the 17 March 2009 we are marching in the spirit of Peace and Compassion.
We are members of the general public and also specific groups and organisations.
We uphold and practice the principle of Peace and Compassion and undertake to do all we can to foster this principle within our immediate society and the world at large.
This march is our statement of our commitment to the practice of Peace and Compassion.
We are aware that as long as there is suffering in the heart of even one individual, there will be no peace on earth.
In many countries around the world, such as Tibet, Burma, most countries in Africa and many others, we see great strife either from natural disasters or from violence and warfare implemented by our fellow human beings.
We call on South Africa to:
* take steps toward demilitarisation and set an example of non violence to the rest of the world.
* take steps to end violence, strife and suffering where it is found, in our country, continent and the world.
* ensure there are no children to be found on our streets and all homeless children be cared for in a place of safety.
* take every step possible to take care of the sick and aged.
* ensure those without employment receive food and shelter.
WHAT YOU NEED TO BEING:
* Please being water to drink and if necessary, a snack for sustenance while walking (please do not litter).
* comfortable walking shoes
* comfortable clothing. It may be cold so please ensure you will be warm enough
* Peace and Compassion marchers may carry banners, etc appropriate to the theme of Peace and Compassion. Banners can be related to any points in the memorandum and human rights issues and if deemed necessary, can express disappointment at SA government's recent decision of not issuing visa to His Holiness the Dalai Lama to travel to SA to attend the 'postponed' Peace Conference. Those representing organisations may carry their own organisational banners and further can express anything pertaining the Peace and Compassion theme. All banners, etc must worded in language appropriate to the theme of the march ie; NO aggressive, abusive, angry language or tone. We reserve the right to remove banners that are seen as inappropriate to the theme of the march.
* This march is our statement of commitment to the practice of Peace and Compassion. Marchers are requested to come prepared with an inspirational quotation, piece of writing or picture relating to the theme of Peace and Compassion, in a letter or on a card. On the day of the march everyone will exchange their letter or card with a stranger who is also participating in the march. This exchange will be a gift and also a bonding with someone we do not know but who shares our vision in their unique way.
MORE ABOUT THE PEACE AND COMPASSION MARCH:
The march has been organised under the auspices of the TSSA (Tibet Society of South Africa) but is not an event exclusive to this organisation and is open to ALL who wish to uphold the principles of Peace and Compassion to march in their own right as individuals or to represent their organisation.
Generally, May 17 can be seen as a symbolic day where we can bring to our awareness, the suffering of others and set the intention to bring about change by firmly committing to uphold the attitude and practice of Peace and Compassion in our lives. This was the date when Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima was abducted by the Communist Chinese Government in 1995. Aged six years old at the time, he was effectively the world’s youngest political prisoner. Panchen Lama, now a young man, is still under arrest and little if anything is known about him and his well being.
TSSA ‘Peace in Tibet’ t-shirts can be ordered by those who wish to wear these on the day of the march. Please see t-shirt order details below
Due to the march taking place on a Sunday, our memorandum’s will faxed by the march organisers, (rather than handed over): To His Excellency the President Kgalema Motlanthe (this mail has been compiled before the upcoming elections – memorandums will address the current president of South Africa) and copied to: UN Secretary-General Banki-Moon and the European Union Representative in Pretoria and the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria.
OTHER MEMORANDUMS
Memorandums of individual human rights and other organisations will be attached to the Peace and Compassion March’s memorandum.
Memorandum submitted by TSSA:
Tibet Society of South Africa (TSSA), calls for:
a) the unconditional release of Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima and his immediate family members, who have been under house arrest/captivity for more than 13 years, and calling on the PRC government to allow access to Panchen Lama by UN representatives;
b) the release of Tibetan political prisoners, who participated in peaceful protests/demonstrations;
c) independent international bodies/organizations to investigate the real conditions and situation inside Tibet;
d) the PRC government to allow foreign media to travel to Tibet for an 'unbiased' reporting of the actual situation; African leaders, including South Africa to urge PRC government to allow foreign journalists access to all parts of Tibet, without fear and conditions;
e) African leaders, including South African leaders, to urge PRC leadership to resolve the issue of Tibet through dialogue. To this end, the African leaders can urge the PRC leadership to discuss the recent proposal submitted by His Holiness' Envoys entitled : "Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People" with sincerity (proposal submitted to the Chinese leaders on October 31, 2008 in Beijing)
FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO ORDER ‘PEACE IN TIBET’ T-SHIRTS:
Kindly complete the following form & return it to cormkt@mweb.co.za before 5 May, 2009 so that the t-shirts can be ordered on-time. T-shirts will be issued on the morning of the march. Kindly bring correct payment.
NAME: ...................................
CONTACT TEL NR: ....................................
NUMBER OF T-SHIRTS REQUIRED: ………………..
SIZES:
Quantity / Size:
............. small
............. medium
.............. large
............... XL
............... XXL
Cost of the t-shirt R55.00 X ............... = TOTAL: ...............................
NB: If for some reason you cannot attend on the day and we have ordered you a t-shirt, won’t you please commit to paying for it so that we are not left with a large account to pay. Thank you!
Kindest regards
Peace and Compassion March organisers
If you have enquiries please contact:
Chris Kudla, Chairperson Tibet Society of SA; 031 2668 182 - office hours
Elizabeth Gaywood, Co-ordinator TSSA; 031 7014 307 - after hours
Or Anna Varney-Wong, on behalf of Peace and Compassion March organisers; info@hummingbirds.co.za
Blog Posts
Israeli-Palestinian 5 day Retreat conducted by Thich Nhat Hanh at Plum Village France
Posted by Anna Varney-Wong on October 12, 2009 at 5:00am
Freedom For China Art and Human Rights Music Website
Hi People. To share some sites about human rights in China that I'm interested in, hope it is of interest to you too!:
Music styles such as alternative rock, traditional, hip hop and spoken word all made to highlight the current persecution of the peacful tai chi practice of Falun Gong, persecuted in China by the Chinese Communist Party as we speak, which has put innocent people into labour camps in China today, 3000 have been killed 10,000s sent to Gestapo-type labour camps. And things like or… Continue
Music styles such as alternative rock, traditional, hip hop and spoken word all made to highlight the current persecution of the peacful tai chi practice of Falun Gong, persecuted in China by the Chinese Communist Party as we speak, which has put innocent people into labour camps in China today, 3000 have been killed 10,000s sent to Gestapo-type labour camps. And things like or… Continue
Posted by Zubyre Parvez on September 8, 2009 at 4:30pm
You are not below me
You are not below me
you are above me
I learn from you each moment
and I serve you
You are not below me
You are above me
you are my mother, my father, my grandmother, my grandfather
my source of wisdom
whether you know it or not
and I put your happiness ahead of my own
In this attitude
all of you are my teachers
my mentors
my mothers
my source of love
innate, unborn wisdom and compassion
that transcends your conscious, knowing mind
Knowing this
How could I think less of you?
How could I hurt… Continue
you are above me
I learn from you each moment
and I serve you
You are not below me
You are above me
you are my mother, my father, my grandmother, my grandfather
my source of wisdom
whether you know it or not
and I put your happiness ahead of my own
In this attitude
all of you are my teachers
my mentors
my mothers
my source of love
innate, unborn wisdom and compassion
that transcends your conscious, knowing mind
Knowing this
How could I think less of you?
How could I hurt… Continue
Marching towards Peace
Between one thought and another
there is peace
During these moments
the mind is suspended in activity, we think
But perhaps
it's the other way around?
Between moments of pure, undisturbed mind
there is ceaselessly wandering activity
and the mind finds itself suspended in stillness
Amidst all the forms of activity
which this mind indulges in
creating this colorful life
Many of these colors we paint
are deeply dark ones
or vividly angry ones
Out of this stillness
this peace which is utterly… Continue
there is peace
During these moments
the mind is suspended in activity, we think
But perhaps
it's the other way around?
Between moments of pure, undisturbed mind
there is ceaselessly wandering activity
and the mind finds itself suspended in stillness
Amidst all the forms of activity
which this mind indulges in
creating this colorful life
Many of these colors we paint
are deeply dark ones
or vividly angry ones
Out of this stillness
this peace which is utterly… Continue
Posted by gien on April 30, 2009 at 7:30am
Practicing Meditation
If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Meditation is essential for our survival, our peace, our protection.
Thich Nhat Han
Thich Nhat Han
Forum
Sharing 5 Replies
Started by Anna Varney-Wong. Last reply by Anna Varney-Wong Oct 2.
Please share your ideas of how to make this march unique 1 Reply
Started by gien. Last reply by Anna Varney-Wong Apr 27.
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If you want to be happy... quotations by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”
“Brute force, no matter how strongly applied, can never subdue the basic human desire for freedom and dignity. It is not enough, as communist systems have assumed, merely to provide people with food, shelter and clothing. Human nature needs to breathe the precious air of liberty.”
“Because we all share this planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature.
This is not just a dream, but a necessity.”
“My call for a spiritual revolution is thus not a call for a religious revolution. Nor is it a reference to a way of life that is somehow other-worldly, still less to something magical or mysterious. Rather, it is a call for a radical re-orientation away from our habitual preoccupation with self towards concern for the wider community of beings with whom we are connected, and for conduct which recognizes others’ interests alongside our own.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Visit Gift to the Dalai Lama
“Brute force, no matter how strongly applied, can never subdue the basic human desire for freedom and dignity. It is not enough, as communist systems have assumed, merely to provide people with food, shelter and clothing. Human nature needs to breathe the precious air of liberty.”
“Because we all share this planet earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace with each other and with nature.
This is not just a dream, but a necessity.”
“My call for a spiritual revolution is thus not a call for a religious revolution. Nor is it a reference to a way of life that is somehow other-worldly, still less to something magical or mysterious. Rather, it is a call for a radical re-orientation away from our habitual preoccupation with self towards concern for the wider community of beings with whom we are connected, and for conduct which recognizes others’ interests alongside our own.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Visit Gift to the Dalai Lama
Videos
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Thich Nhat Hanh on Burma
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